Study Group on After the Knowledge Economy: What America Must Do to Win the Next Technological Race with Asia

Director: Adam Segal

January 1, 2005 - Present
After the Knowledge Economy: What America Must Do to Win the Technological Race with Asia argues that the United States is currently the world’s technology leader, but can no longer assume its technological superiority will continue indefinitely. The American innovation system is weakening; globalization is changing how and where innovation occurs; and new, serious competitors are emerging in Asia.

Asia’s ascendancy is more than the next competitive challenge for a few American technology companies. The United States’ status as a superpower is at stake. Economic dynamism, military power, and political influence all flow from the United States’ technological predominance. Failing to ensure that the American economy remains the most innovative means accommodating ourselves to a future where other countries reap the lion’s share of the benefits of technological development; potential rivals strengthen their militaries and threaten our core security interests; and Asia replaces the United States as the source of new ideas and inspiration for the world.

The study group will result in a book in Fall 2007 that will provide an introduction to and analysis of important technology actors in Asia—players who could represent growth opportunities for as well as potential competitors to American business. In addition, the book will make practical policy suggestions about how the United States should foster technological entrepreneurship at home and what it should demand from its trading partners abroad.

This project is made possible by the generous support from the Kauffman Foundation.